Archive for the ‘Education’ Category

When will the loan servicers stop the nonsense? Why isn’t the Department of Education holding their feet to the fire?

Consider this. The Department of Justice (Justice, not Education), documented that Sallie Mae has been overcharging interest to active duty members of the military since 2005, in violation of the service members’ Civil Relief Act (SCRA). According to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), Sallie Mae also illegally maximized borrower’s late fees and misrepresented how borrowers could avoid late fees. Yikes. The Department of Justice estimated that 60,000 service members were harmed by the illegal activity of Navient (AKA Sallie Mae) and then earlier this year, the Department of Justice announced that the number of military borrowers receiving compensation under a settlement had increased by 30%, to nearly 78,000 borrowers.The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) recently documented ongoing incompetent and illegal loan servicing practices causing unique hardships for military families. The CFPB noted that student loan servicers “still do not appear to understand the elements of the [SCRA]”.

Where has the Department of Education been during all this? First, they renewed Navient’s more than $100 million contract. Ack. Then, they took the matter under review. For a year. The results of ED’s review? ED reported that “the four servicers … complied in the vast majority of cases [with the law].”

Senator Warren called bullsh*t. Because that’s the way she rolls. Warren directed her staff to conduct a detailed analysis of the Department of Education’s review. Oh, snap! According to Warren’s review, the Department of Education’s analysis was “deeply flawed,” “failed to provide a full assessment of whether the student loan servicers were complying with SCRA,” and “failed to examine significant problems with service members’ access to SCRA rate caps,” concluding,”[t]hese problems indicate that ED has failed to effectively assess, act on, or report on potential problems with administration of the SCRA program by student loan servicers.”

Read recommendations for change from the fantastic Deanne Loonin of the National Consumer Law Center –

Read recommendations for change from the fantastic Deanne Loonin of the National Consumer Law Center here:Senators Find Major Holes in the Department of Education’s Servicer Investigation. – See more at: http://askheatherjarvis.com/blog/student-loan-servicers-screwing-30-percent-more-troops-and-counting#sthash.16VYI1lH.dpuf

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) asked for comments on student loan servicing a few months ago. Thousands of borrowers and their advocates responded before yesterday’s deadline, highlighting again and again that the current system does not work well for borrowers and is not created to ensure that borrowers have enforceable rights to quality service and accessible relief.

We filed extensive comments with numerous examples of breakdowns in the current servicing system. The second part of the comments focus on servicing of home mortgages. We emphasized that servicing rules and protocols are more developed for mortgages than for student loans. Unfortunately, enforcement of the rules and protocols in mortgage servicing has been largely missing. This failure of enforcement should signal an area of concern for anyone developing a system for oversight of student loan servicing.

We also filed separate comments with the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys (NACBA) focusing on servicing problems faced by borrowers filing for bankruptcy.

We urge the Bureau, Department of Education and other agencies to carefully review these comments and recognize the harm caused by inferior servicing. Student loan servicers are the borrower’s primary point of contact. If the servicer is competent and efficient, many financially distressed borrowers will be able to avoid default. The main problem with the current system is that student loan borrowers do not receive consistent quality service. Combined with lax oversight and no clear way for borrowers to enforce their rights, too many borrowers never obtain options that could relieve their debt burdens and help them make fresh starts in life.

Unfortunately, the servicing system has become so confusing that an entire industry of for-profit “debt relief” companies has sprung up to supposedly provide the services that the free government servicers are failing to provide. Borrowers run the risk not only of paying exorbitant fees to these companies, but also of losing important rights.

This article is written by Anum Yoon. She is an international student currently working in the U.S. on her OPT. She spends all her free time running a personal finance blog for fellow millennials and international students over at Current on Currency.

Starting as a freshman at any college is always stressful, as there’s so many new experiences and responsibilities involved. If you’re an international student, it can be even more intimidating. As well as dealing with the pressures of college life, there’s the worries about living in a new country, using a second language and especially finance. The following tips will help you get to grips with your money, and make your first year as a student go smoothly.

Understand Your University’s Payment Requirements

Payment options for your education will vary, depending on which college you decide to attend. These options will affect your financial planning for the year, so it’s worth finding out what’s needed from you as soon as you can. There are a few questions it’s worth asking before you start in the fall: Is payment for the fall semester required upfront in the summer? Is upfront payment required for each semester? Are monthly payments available, and are there international student fees to pay? Find out and then you can begin budgeting your tuition costs straight away.

Open a U.S. Bank Account

If you have a bank account with a bank that only operates within your home country, it’s worth considering opening a bank account in the U.S. when you arrive. Otherwise, money withdrawals and transfers can become quite challenging. You’ll also notice that most citizens in the U.S. mostly use credit and debit cards to pay for things, even for small transactions. Having a U.S. bank account will make it easier for you to pay for necessities while you’re studying.

Book Flights Early

International flights can quickly get expensive, especially when booked at short notice. To save money, book your flights for events such as moving in, orientation and college holidays as far in advance as you can. Your college may offer travel grants to international students, so it’s worth checking with them before you start booking your travel. If you’re planning to stay during holidays, make sure to check your accommodation regulations. Some on-campus housing closes during the holidays, so if you check first you can avoid paying out to stay elsewhere.

Plan Your Getaways

There are multiple occasions during the school year that call for a getaway with friends. It’s not realistic for most international students to travel back home during every single break, so whether it’s a 3-day weekend or Thanksgiving break, it’s great to plan for these breaks ahead. Planning early will help you open up travel opportunities that are a lot cheaper and better organized. If you are on a tight budget, you can always see if any of your friends will be okay with inviting you over to their homes. Another fun idea that is good for low budgets are road trips. A road trip is a great excuse for you and your friends to explore your home-away-from home.

Plan Your Indirect Costs

Your indirect costs are things like rent, groceries, and transportation. If you’re living on a budget, then there are lots of ways to save money. Having roommates is a good way of saving on household costs, and if you live on campus, you may be able to opt into a meal plan which will save money on food. Your college may offer all kinds of services for free or for a low fee, such as shuttle bus services and entertainment. Be sure to take advantage of them.

Remember U.S.-Only Costs

There are a few financial customs that are particular to the U.S. you may not be familiar with. One example is tipping. In the U.S., gratuities aren’t added to bills in restaurants, so customers are expected to tip their wait staff 15 to 20 percent of the total to pay for their service. Not doing so can be considered rude, so it’s worth making sure what you should and shouldn’t be doing with your money while you’re studying in the U.S.

Find the Best Options for Communicating With Family Back Home

While you’re away studying, you’ll want to stay in touch with your loved ones back home. Doing so can become expensive if you follow traditional routes, such as international phone calls or sending packages. If you want to call, consider using prepaid phone cards. If you’re sending packages, recycle packaging materials you’ve previously received, and research your best mailing options before you send them.

The Internet is a fantastic, and cheap, way to stay in touch. Social media sites such as Facebook allow you to chat online, and face call software such as Skype lets you make phone calls via your computer for free. Take advantage of what’s available online.

Managing your finances while living abroad can be a daunting thing to do. By following these tips, you can keep on top of both your tuition and personal costs, lifting one more worry from your mind.

Being a modern parent means embracing the power of online education and teaching your kid to use the Internet in a productive manner. Try to show your kid that the world web is not only about watching funny cat videos and sending emojis on Facebook with the next four amazing educational websites.

1. Skillshare

Skillshare is a creative community where you can master new skills or gain expertise in various professional areas ranging from creative writing and web design to music and game creation. It’s a productive way to keep your elder kids busy during the breaks and let them develop their creativity, while gaining new experiences. For instance, you can take a screen writing course by James Franco or learn marketing basics from Seth Godin. Skillshare is an awesome way to test and try various career options and make sure your kid chooses the right college major. It’s one of the best educational websites available. The community is free to join and enroll to a limited amount of classes per month, whereas going premium (8-10$ per month) will let you access all the classes, plus unlock offline access to supporting materials and videos.

Besides, the service can be highly beneficial for both parents and kids! If you have expertise in a certain area and can convert it into a series of easy-to-follow videos, maybe you should become a Skillshare educator yourself? Some of them claim to make around 1.000$ per night.

2. The 11+ Tutors in Essex

The Eleven Plus Tutors in Essex team offers an innovative new service with virtual lessons conducted with the help of BigBlueButton virtual classroom technology. It allows students to collaborate with the mentor online via chat and webcam, plus interact with all the resources in real time. Along with their VLE, the service offers conventional 1-to-1 private tuition. These sessions are targeted at primary school children to help them successfully pass the 11 Plus exam and gain a prestigious grammar school place. If you opt for a private session the tutor will visit your child at a suitable time, whereas exam preparation sessions are usually held online. Your child will be mentored by a fully qualified teacher with a respective degree and certifications.

Also, the service offers amazing creative writing classes where your child will master common writing techniques establish their own writing style and increase overall literacy. Learning to write compelling essays is one of the key factors in passing any examination successfully and entering a prestigious school afterwards

3. Duolingo

Duolingo is an incredible free language learning website (and app) that gives actual results fast. My kid started to read and translate short stories in French within just a month! I love the gamification elements included into each lesson with points added for each activity that could later be redeemed as special boosters. There’s a limited amount of lives (attempts) to pass each assignment and an instant in-lesson grading system.

So far you can learn French, Spanish, Portuguese, German, Italian, Dutch, Irish, Swedish and Danish language with Duolingo (plus English if you are not a native-speaker). This year, the developers plan to add Russian, Polish, Turkish and Romanian languages.

4. BrainPop

BrainPop was launched back in 1999, yet it’s still one of the best educational resources out there! Fun interactive classes are available in numerous subjects from sciences to basic engineering. Learning goes in fun and engaging manner with knowledge presented in form of short animated movies and quizzes. The most difficult concepts are broken down to simple points and topics introduced by the website characters.

BrainPop has been successfully used in numerous schools around the US and gotten numerous praises from parents homeschooling their kids, along with top accolades from prestigious educational institution and the government. Prices vary depending on the type of subscription you choose.

Being a modern parent means embracing the power of online education and teaching your kid to use the Internet in a productive manner. Try to show your kid that the world web is not only about watching funny cat videos and sending emojis on Facebook with the next four amazing educational websites.

1. Skillshare

Skillshare is a creative community where you can master new skills or gain expertise in various professional areas ranging from creative writing and web design to music and game creation. It’s a productive way to keep your elder kids busy during the breaks and let them develop their creativity, while gaining new experiences. For instance, you can take a screen writing course by James Franco or learn marketing basics from Seth Godin. Skillshare is an awesome way to test and try various career options and make sure your kid chooses the right college major. It’s one of the best educational websites available. The community is free to join and enroll to a limited amount of classes per month, whereas going premium (8-10$ per month) will let you access all the classes, plus unlock offline access to supporting materials and videos.

Besides, the service can be highly beneficial for both parents and kids! If you have expertise in a certain area and can convert it into a series of easy-to-follow videos, maybe you should become a Skillshare educator yourself? Some of them claim to make around 1.000$ per night.

2. The 11+ Tutors in Essex

The Eleven Plus Tutors in Essex team offers an innovative new service with virtual lessons conducted with the help of BigBlueButton virtual classroom technology. It allows students to collaborate with the mentor online via chat and webcam, plus interact with all the resources in real time. Along with their VLE, the service offers conventional 1-to-1 private tuition. These sessions are targeted at primary school children to help them successfully pass the 11 Plus exam and gain a prestigious grammar school place. If you opt for a private session the tutor will visit your child at a suitable time, whereas exam preparation sessions are usually held online. Your child will be mentored by a fully qualified teacher with a respective degree and certifications.

Also, the service offers amazing creative writing classes where your child will master common writing techniques establish their own writing style and increase overall literacy. Learning to write compelling essays is one of the key factors in passing any examination successfully and entering a prestigious school afterwards

3. Duolingo

Duolingo is an incredible free language learning website (and app) that gives actual results fast. My kid started to read and translate short stories in French within just a month! I love the gamification elements included into each lesson with points added for each activity that could later be redeemed as special boosters. There’s a limited amount of lives (attempts) to pass each assignment and an instant in-lesson grading system.

So far you can learn French, Spanish, Portuguese, German, Italian, Dutch, Irish, Swedish and Danish language with Duolingo (plus English if you are not a native-speaker). This year, the developers plan to add Russian, Polish, Turkish and Romanian languages.

4. BrainPop

BrainPop was launched back in 1999, yet it’s still one of the best educational resources out there! Fun interactive classes are available in numerous subjects from sciences to basic engineering. Learning goes in fun and engaging manner with knowledge presented in form of short animated movies and quizzes. The most difficult concepts are broken down to simple points and topics introduced by the website characters.

BrainPop has been successfully used in numerous schools around the US and gotten numerous praises from parents homeschooling their kids, along with top accolades from prestigious educational institution and the government. Prices vary depending on the type of subscription you choose.

The dissertation proposal is the first step to a doctorate degree. The creation of a dissertation proposal is important because it will be the outline of the elements that will constitute your doctorial thesis. It is also the instrument that will be reviewed by your dissertation committee. Based on your proposal the dissertation committee will either approve or disapprove the subject matter of your thesis.

There are several elements that must be included and a certain format that must be followed in the creation of your proposal. The elements that must be included are your abstract, introduction, problem statement, importance of the study, purpose of the research, research hypotheses, preliminary literature review, proposed methodology and procedures, limitations of the study, proposed time frame, references and appendixes.

Due to the critical nature of the dissertation proposal it is often advisable to seek the help and assistance from someone that has experience with the process. You can obtain help at Thesistown.com.

After your proposal is approved by the dissertation committee you can take the next step. The next step is your doctoral thesis. In this phase you must complete your thesis plan. This would include the tasks and activities that need to be completed. These elements would include the literature that will be used and reviewed, a description of your theoretical concepts, the evidence to be considered and the case studies. Not unlike the dissertation proposal there is an accepted format for the creation of your thesis. Following these standard guidelines will make it easier for you to stay on track and for those who have to evaluate your work. This will also help you to optimize the time spent and to keep you organized.

In order to receive a PhD you must complete a doctoral dissertation. This dissertation is the proof of your hypothesis. It is the culmination of all the work and research that has been done to prove or establish the validity of your thesis. This is probably the single most important factor in obtaining your doctorate. Even though the dissertation is a critical element, having a strong working relationship with your dissertation committee is also essential. These are the people who will evaluate your work and provide guidance and support throughout the process. It is imperative that you are able to work with and effectively communicate with this group in order to succeed.

Are you currently having problems with your statistics homework and exams? If so, the Statistics help is one help you should immediately get, so you can be rescued from your problem. In fact, it is understood that not all students have enough time and memory, to absorb all of statistics formulas; hence, they might end up feeling depressed, due to poor marks on their exams. For that reason, the online Statistics tutor was created to help students who have totally forgotten about their lessons, after a long holiday.

This online statistics help is more professional than other statistics tutoring, because you can ask any Statistics problems you have, and find the answers in your homework book. All of the Statistics answers are presented in detail, so you can comprehend well, and be able to do the same questions in the future.

If you have such limited time to study, due to your busy working schedule, you do not have to worry, for online Statistics questions are there for you 24-hours a day and 7-days a week. Moreover, if this is the very first time you will be using online statistics help, you will get free Statistics help.